Ottawa Fury News Release -- www.ottawafury.com
Friday, November 2, 2012
OTTAWA, Ont. -- Seven Ottawa Fury PDL players are either headed to or already involved in the collegiate playoffs throughout the NCAA, NAIA and CIS. This week we highlight the offensive performances from Marcello Castro, Carlo Basso and Joey Kewin; the defensive work from Nils Carlson and Drew Beckie and the roles of Eddie Campbell and Jake Essi as their schools gear up for the postseason.
http://pdl.uslsoccer.com/imgs/Ottawa-Beckie1102.jpgAt Sacred Heart University the seniors were honored prior to kickoff, with captain and leading scorer Marcello Castro included in the group. Castro added to his totals in their final regular-season contest, netting Sacred Heart's first tally of the afternoon and followed the up by assisting on the game-winner as they downed St. Francis 3-1. While Castro is having a career season with seven goals and 16 points, his side (now 8-7-0) need to win their remaining two games this Friday (@ Mount St. Mary's) and Sunday (@ Monmouth) to reach the NEC Conference Playoffs.
Simon Fraser have taken both the GNAC and NCAA Division II by storm this season with the 15-1-1 season that sees the school ranked No.1 in the GNAC and No.3 overall. Carlo Basso continues to lead the way for Clan, helping them remain as the top-scoring team in the nation (42 goals) as he netted one and assisted on two others in their 7-1 rout against Saint Martin's late last week. On Saturday the blanked Seattle Pacific 1-0 in extra time and will close out the regular season on Sunday against Western Washington before beginning the GNAC Conference playoffs the following week.
The Carleton University Ravens completed their season with a 10-2-2 record, earning the No.10 seed in the CIS. This past weekend they entered the postseason facing the Ryerson Rams in the OUA East Semifinals. After taking a 2-1 lead early in the second half the Rams hit back for two goals five minutes apart to put the Ravens on their heals. Fury PDL midfielder Joey Kewin pulled Carleton level with 11 minutes remaining to force extra time. The Ravens would add three extra time goals, including a second goal from Kewin. Carleton will travel to face the top-ranked team in the country, the York Lions, on Saturday with a spot in the OUA Provincial Championship game up for grabs. The winner will move on to face the winner of Queen's vs McMaster.
At Embry-Riddle, Nils Carlson has been key in the Eagles turnaround that has seen them turn an 0-7-0 start into a playoff spot in the Sun Conference Quarterfinals this weekend. The Eagles finished the season 6-8-1 (going 6-1-1 in their final 8 games) that included a 6-3-1 record in their conference and a 4-0 victory this past weekend over Johnson & Wales University to close out the regular season. Carlson heads into the postseason with a 7-6-1 record, two shutouts and 57 saves.
At the University of Denver the Pioneers picked up a crucial 3-0 victory against UNLV to clinch a berth into the MPSF Championship Quarterfinals, but will close out the regular season on Saturday against Air Force. Drew Beckie has had another stellar season at both ends of the pitch, but his defensive performance has been outstanding and will be a key component to the Pioneers back line heading into the playoffs.
Eddie Campbell's career season will be headed to the postseason on Saturday when they host St. Catharine's College in the opening round of the MSC Championship. The Blue Raiders finished the NAIA regular season with a 16-1-0 record and ranked No.2 in the NAIA with Campbell sitting second on the team in goals (11) and first in assists (8).
Also headed to the NAIA post-season is Hastings College. Ranked No.1 in their conference (GPAC) they finished the season with a 12-6-0 record improving on a disappoint 3-4-0 start to the season. Hastings will face Dakota Wesleyan on Thursday night at 7 p.m.